Black Philanthropy
OUR cause
Black philanthropy at the Foundation
We are committed to uplifting the health and well-being of Black New Mexicans in all aspects. Founded in 2023, the Empower! Black Futures Community Fund is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to supporting Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico — and the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s newest identity-based giving circle. Guided by an advisory committee of Black leaders throughout the state, the Empower! Fund takes a community-based approach to philanthropy for a brighter and more equitable future for all.
Empower! funding priorities
The Empower! Black Futures Community Fund has established three priority areas for making grants that uplift Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico:
Promoting community development
through capacity building, strategic planning, professional development, and collaborative exploration.
Fostering Black artistic expression and preserving cultural heritage
through the presentation of diverse and emerging artists, the documentation and archiving of Black history, and the promoting of cultural exchange and community dialogue.
Building financial literacy
through the creation and distribution of financial resources, and providing real-world classes, counseling, and hands-on experiences to targeted businesses and families.
Empower! Fund advisory committee
The fund is staffed by a committee of volunteers who identify with New Mexico’s Black communities. Committee members raise money for the fund, engage in community outreach events, and lead the fund’s grantmaking deliberations and recommendations.
Advisory Committee Members
- Raashan Ahmad, Chair
- Bettye Kearse
- Hakim Bellamy
- Simesha McEachern
- Rich Brown
- Neema Pickett
- Michael Davis
- Shani Harvie
- SPAC3
Empower! Fund grant recipients
The Empower! Fund was thrilled to open its first request for funding proposals as part of the Santa Fe Community Foundation's 2025 spring grant cycle. We thank the fund's early supporters for making this possible.
2025 grantees
SFCF provides grants to eligible applicants so long as funds are available, without regard to the race, creed, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, country or place of origin, ethnicity, or citizenship status of the applicants.
